Stephen, whose battle with bowel cancer touched the hearts of people all over the world, was re-admitted to hospital on May 11 with breathing problems following a brief improvement in his health.

Relatives revealed tumours have re-grown in his lungs and he is no longer able to communicate directly with his followers via social media.

In a post on his Facebook page, his family said: ‘Unfortunately in the last 24 hours Stephen’s condition has deteriorated to where he can no longer communicate through this page himself

‘Unfortunately the breathlessness which had him re-admitted to hospital is due to the regrowth of tumours which are blocking his airways, and not just due to infection as we had all been hoping. He is currently comfortable and stable, and we will let you know of any further developments.

‘Right now however, as a family, we wish for a certain amount of privacy for us to spend what time he has remaining with him. We appreciate everyone’s concern, and for all the love and goodwill sent his way, and indeed ours too, we thank you deeply.’

On April 23 it seemed terminally-ill cancer teen Stephen Sutton was just hours away from death when he posted a heartbreaking final farewell on Facebook. However, just days later he revealed his health had taken a turn for the better after he ‘coughed up a tumour’ and said he felt ‘fantastic’.

As Stephen documented his progress, the response was phenomenal.

Bolstered by online support from celebrities such as Piers Morgan and comedian Jimmy Carr, donations flooded in to the 19-year-old’s JustGiving page, who is raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. In less than 24 hours he smashed his target of raising £1 million, and that total has now climbed to £2.5 million.